If Joe Mazzulla is searching for a remedy, it won’t be more cowbell—it’ll be more threes.
Even after the Boston Celtics came up short in a high-scoring clash with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, don’t expect their head coach to ease up from deep heading into Game 3.
My Celtics vs. 76ers predictions are backing Derrick White to rediscover his stroke from beyond the arc.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Friday, April 24.
- UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win.
Celtics vs 76ers prediction
Who will win Celtics vs 76ers Game 3?
Celtics: There were a lot of quirks to the Boston Celtics’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2, but it basically boils down to Boston going cold from deep and Philadelphia getting hot.
The Celtics aren’t going to switch up their game plan on offense, but they will look to slow down the Sixers' speedy backcourt. The spread has Boston winning, and the C’s are 20-6 SU and 18-8 ATS coming off a loss this season.
Celtics vs 76ers best bet: Derrick White Over 2.5 threes (+102)
The Boston Celtics went just 19-for-50 from 3-point land in Game 2, but it wasn’t like the Philadelphia 76ers were playing lockdown defense on the perimeter.
In fact, 24 of those 3-point attempts qualified as “wide open”, with no defender within six feet of the shooter. However, the Celtics cashed in only six of those opportunities from outside.
Although Derrick White is a collective 4-for-17 from beyond the arc against the Sixers, including a 4-for-14 count on 3-point attempts with a defender at least four feet away, he has no intention of shooting less.
“You got to have that confidence the next one’s going to go in and got to have that belief,” White told reporters ahead of Game 3. “I think if you get a good look or if it’s an open look, you’re hurting the team if you don’t take it. If you’re out there and you get a good look, you got to take it and knock it down.”
Given the way Philadelphia’s guards exploited Boston’s drop coverage on high screens in Game 2 (Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe were a combined 11-for-22 on 3-pointers), Friday’s game could see a surplus of triples from both sides.
That means ample opportunities for White to get right from deep, and his player projections for Game 3 all lean toward 3+ makes from downtown.
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Celtics vs 76ers same-game parlay
Over the last three years, Boston boasts a 6-1 SU record following a loss in the playoffs. The Celtics’ shooting is set to get right, while the Sixers will come back to earth as Boston adjusts on defense.
Jaylen Brown registered 13.0 potential assists in Game 2, but the Celtics’ piss-poor shooting converted only four of those passes into assists. Brown finished with six dimes in Game 1, and since Jayson Tatum returned in late March, he’s averaged 5.5 assists on 9.7 potential assists per contest.
Celtics vs 76ers SGP
- Celtics moneyline
- Derrick White Over 2.5 threes
- Jaylen Brown Over 4.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Weapons of "Mass" Destruction
Joe Mazzula will give his guys the green light from beyond the arc. The 76ers dodged several bullets in Game 2, with Boston unable to cash in on wide-open looks from long range.
The Celtics won’t let those go to waste in Game 3, which could turn into a 3-point shootout given the 76ers' preferred approach.
Celtics vs 76ers SGP
- Celtics -6.5
- Over 215.5
- Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 threes
- Jaylen Brown Over 1.5 threes
- Derrick White Over 2.5 threes
Celtics vs 76ers odds for Game 3
- Spread: Celtics -6.5 (-110) | 76ers +6.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Celtics -300 | 76ers +240
- Over/Under: Over 215.5 (-110) | Under 215.5 (-110)
Celtics vs 76ers betting trend to know
Boston is 59-13 SU and 51-21 ATS coming off a loss since the 2023-24 season, including 6-1 SU and ATS in the playoffs during that span. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. 76ers.
How to watch Celtics vs 76ers Game 3
| Location | Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date | Friday, April 24, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Celtics vs 76ers latest injuries
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